Burlington >> Burlington leaders' vision for a prosperous center of town took a step forward Monday when the Village Center Plan and Development Committee met to discuss its redevelopment efforts for Library Lane.

In May 2012, First Selectman Ted Shafer approached the Board of Selectmen with an idea to create an ad hoc committee to oversee development for the center of town.

The Village Center Plan and Development Committee has a membership of landowners, business owners, members of local boards and commissions, town residents and anyone else with an interest in reconstructing the town center.

The goal, according to Shafer, is to bring everyone together to successfully implement a development plan to establish a commercial center that provides goods and services, and creates a destination and gathering place on Library Lane.

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Talks on the initiative began 15 years ago, but the downturn in the economy and a loss of focus slowed the town's efforts.

Since the committee officially began meeting last June, infrastructure issues such as private versus public roadways and waterlines have been the focus.

Library Lane was transformed from a private to a town-owned road, and a water line running from Route 4 to the Burlington Public Library was constructed.

To further the redevelopment of the town center, the committee has a number of Small Town Economic Assistance Program grants pending, including $144,000 for sidewalk development from Library Lane East to Colby Road and $40,000 for a municipal building architectural assessment. In March, the town is expecting a grant from the federal Main Street Development Fund for landscape and streetscape designs.

"Our vision is a combination of recreation, historical, small retail, municipal and the arts development with appropriate residential areas," Shafer said.

Shafter envisions a center that will benefit all residents of all ages. Commercial development is another goal for the project, to help relieve the burden on residential taxpayers by bringing in more commercial tax revenue.

In 2006, in an effort to promote and guide the development, the Planning and Zoning Commission created a new zoning district called the Central Business Zone, which encourages village center development.

The zone was developed to create pedestrian-oriented center in keeping with the historical nature of the area, which could also support businesses.

In a recent survey, residents were asked what they want to see in the new zone. A majority of people between the ages of 40 and 68 said they would like to see a center of town with a variety of shops and stores for convenience purposes, including a grocery store, a medical facility and other small businesses.

The survey summarized that residents want the right kind of development without destroying the town's rural character.

"People don't want us to become another Route 44," a committee member said.

In early 2013, the committee will reveal its progress to the public and gather other residents' input. The committee will then report to the Board of Selectman in June 2013 and decide its next step.

The Village Center Plan and Development Committee will meet again on Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. after Shafer and Town Planner David Edler meet with various architects to discuss the project.